Erik Jendressen's script

[Procutus]

Reading through the post about Roddenberry's 60 page treatment of his follow-up to TMP, it occured to me that with things gearing up for STXI, we now have another 'lost' script: Erik Jendressen's proposed Romulan War trilogy.

If memory serves, there was a full script for the first film in the trilogy and not just a treatment. Being that this is a far more recent developement than the other lost ideas we've been discussing, I wonder if there's the possibility this script will ever see the light of day, either as a novel or posted on the Internet. I was really interested in seeing this on the screen, to this particular era of Trek fleshed out.

Anyone else feel disappointed that we'll never see this story developed? Or am I alone on this one?

 

[Aldo]

I dunno, I wasnt really interested in seeing it brought to life. It was much more interesting as a footnote in the TOS episode anyways than a fully fleshed out story.

 

[Nebusj]

Procutus said:
Anyone else feel disappointed that we'll never see this story developed? Or am I alone on this one?

I'm not particularly upset that we won't have the Jendressen script, no. It may be just a case of Rick Berman-associated malaise but the hype for it sounded like it was trying to mix the Solution For The Underperformance Of Insurrection -- adding lots of noise and clatter -- to the You Do Too Want A Prequel You Do You Do You Do of Enterprise. Proclaiming that there was plenty of material for a trilogy also left it sounding rather pompous and self-important; they said there was plenty of material for a sequel to Insurrection and to Nemesis too.

Maybe the story would have justified optimism, but I never heard any teasing that made me want to nibble.

 

[TiberiusK]

It was going to cover the Romulan War, post Enterprise right?

I'd be interested in reading it, but I can see why it was turned down. Mainstream audiences just wouldn't understand a pre-Kirk post Archer prequel/sequel. Maybe if Enterprise had been popular...

 

[CorporalClegg]

^
I'm not so sure. If it was just cookie-cutter Trek set in a different era, then you'd probably be right.

However, I think the Romulan war could be an outlet to do something totally different.

I had this idea once having a character sort of a cross between Jack Ryan and Billy Pilgrim (At the time I thought the TCW would be somehow involved.) The main character would be a Section 31 op. researcher (like Ryan) who get caught up in military/political pandering, bureaucracy, and intrigue while experiencing the "unstuck in time" thing. The garbled experiences of his life alter decisions he makes in other parts of his life that only lead to catastrophe. etc. etc.

It's not much, I know. But it's the kind of story that I've been waiting for Trek to do for awhile. It would probably appeal to a wider range of folks and they wouldn't have to know anything about any of the series to enjoy it, yet it would still maintain the universe and still present Trekesque themes and ideals.

 

[Procutus]

^


Hey, now that idea I like, as it could really involve some intricate storytelling. Much like the EJ script, I don't know how much mainstream appeal it would have, but as a series of novels, I think it could have great potential.

And speaking of which, I really do hope that Jendressen's ideas do at least get turned into a novel of the Romulan War, if nothing else, where it could serve as something of a bridge between the post-ENT era and the beginning of the 23rd century.

 

[Jack Bauer]

The Enterprise novels will be getting into the Romulan war but I doubt any of Jendressen's script will make it into the novels. I'd sure like to read the script.

 

[Procutus]

^

You're probably right, but it would be interesting if Pocket Books did make the decision to incorporate his script ideas into the Relaunch Series. I'd enjoy seeing Erik's characters interact with the Enterprise crew.

 

[Therin of Andor]

The script is owned by Paramount, and has potential to one day become an actual movie, even if not a ST movie. Studios usually aren't in the business of tossing away a script via a novelization, which would pre-empt making further use of the script by giving away all the surprises.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

Nothing reported about it ever sounded really interesting.

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

^I agree. It sounded like an amalgamation of Starship Troopers, Band of Brothers and Star Wars not Star Trek.

 

[Noname Given]

Therin of Andor said:
The script is owned by Paramount, and has potential to one day become an actual movie, even if not a ST movie. Studios usually aren't in the business of tossing away a script via a novelization, which would pre-empt making further use of the script by giving away all the surprises.

Well, given that the script as it exists would only make sense in a Star Trek context (what I'm getting at is that 'space war' movies in general have had their day ala Star Wars, BSG, etc.). The draw WAS to show interested fans (and also hopefully interest a more general audience) in showing what has only been vaguely commented on in 40 years of Star Trek.

I just don't see Paramount re-tooling it into another generic science fiction film (but that's me).

They would probably make tons more money just novelizing it, or releasing it in it's original script form as a 'lost' Star Trek project.

YMMV

 

[Therin of Andor]

Noname Given said:
They would probably make tons more money just novelizing it, or releasing it in it's original script form as a 'lost' Star Trek project.

Tons more money? Very doubtful. And I'm sure there would be too much red tape (trying to please the demands of the Screen Writers Guild, etc) and it would affect the normal practice of writing off the funds used to produce an axed movie script. (Wouldn't it normally get charged to the development costs of the next ST movie? To run further financial risks and try to publish the thing? It's just not the way Hollywood does things.

 

[Frontier]

Well you know, we might see it someday. There are aborted scripts on-line. J.J. Abrams Superman script for one is on-line.

 

[Admiral_Young]

If memory serves Jendressen's screenplay was supposed to tell the story of the the Romulan War from the perspective of a brand new Starfleet ship we've never seen before. Some of the rumors about it had the first movie setting up a potential trilogy if things went well at the box office. I too would like to read it...as mentioned rejected scripts and treatments sometimes end up online after a while. The only connection to ENT that this was supposed to have was that it took place during the Romulan Wars...

Admiral Young

 

[Peach Wookiee]

Ooooh... That sounds cool...

 

[Jack Bauer]

The one thing I heard in his script I disliked was calling James T Kirk's ancestor Tiberius Chase. Terrible name.

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

^The name sounded like a 70's porn star.

 

[Broccoli]

I'm probably the only person who was interested in this story. I would like to check out the script. Another "what could have been."

And Tiberius Chase isn't a stupid name...when compared to other stupid names we have in Trek.

 

[cardinal biggles]

middyseafort said:
^The name sounded like a 70's porn star.

Or something from a really bad fanfic.